Chain maintenance has to be one of the easiest, but also the most useful and satisfying of jobs to do on your bike. Even if you have a scottoiler (and I think they are great) you still need to have a good clean up. Our Graham, who writes for Bigbikemad but is also an instructor often neglects this task. So we lent him some Rock Oil stuff and dragged him away from his Moto GP DVD to do the dirty deed.:biggrin: Rockoil Chain Cleaning Products Review - Big Bike Mad Has anyone else got any useful hints, tips or habits regarding chain care?
Fit a Scottoiler. Especially the touring version with the large reservoir that fits behind the number plate. Then simply forget about chain maintenance period!!! I owned a Honda Firestorm for many years and over the last 20,000 miles of it's life I never once found it necessary to adjust the chain. When I sold the bike it had 39,000 miles on the clock and was still using the original chain and rear sprocket and both were still in reasonable condition. Before we get into THAT debate, I was an IAM Senior Observer and used to ride between 8,000 and 10,000 miles per year in all weathers and, when not working with the IAM I enjoyed fairly spirited riding including track days and a regular good thrashing through the twisties. So, the life of the chain is not down to my riding, it's the Scottoiler. :upyeah:
Sure, a Scottoiler is useful - I have one on all of my chain driven bikes...but it doesn't mean there's no maintenance to do....every so often you still need to do a good clean top get all the road grit off....
OK, I slightly overstated the benefits for dramatic effect. :wink: I always checked my chain on a weekly basis and, very occasionally, cleaned it. But that really is all. I tended to over-lube the chain a little and that tended to help keep the grit at bay. Although it did mean the left side of the bike got extra dirty.
Tirox 360 chain cleaner, fantastic bit of kit. Bobbins, and a paddock stand, 30 minutes of your time, trumps a Scottoiler. Although this is purely my opinion, and certainly not sticking a Scottoiler on a 675R. Plus my days as riding in all conditions martyr, are well and truly over, it's not fun, its unsafe, and its miserable. When its raining, I'll jump in the car. If your a motorcycle courier, or you have no choice to ride the bike in all weather conditions, I feel your pain,and so does you bike,but if you 're doing this Scottoiler fitted to a bike that doesn't cost 11 grand is the way ahead. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tirox-360-Motorcycle-Chain-Brush/dp/B00527IR7O
Yeah, the Scottoiler does really help.... I'm keen on them:upyeah:. Here's where I fitted one to my ZZR...:biggrin: Kawasaki ZZR1400 Scottoiler Install - Big Bike Mad Brilliant bit of kit IMHO.
Very nice post, especially interesting for a newbie to biking like myself.... I've only got 700mls on my Bonnie from new, just finished cleaning the chain and lubing it with Fuchs Silkolene chain lube, it was also cleaned and lubed at its 500ml service with the dealer, so it's been done 3 times since I got it... My manual says every 200mls, do most people stick to this? Makes sense to me to look after your chain, tyres etc... The first couple of times I did it, I had no way of lifting it so just rolled the bike to get at the chain, but I've just got a new paddock stand so hopefully should make the job easier :smile:
Glad it was useful. The paddock stand is a good idea. 200 miles sounds too frequent, although it depends on ambient conditions (e.g. how dusty). Most people say about 500. Years ago you used to be able to get a tin with solid wax in it that you put over a stove and literally boiled the chain to get the oil deep into it. Nowadays products like Fuch's or Rockoil have chemicals that can do this in just a spray. There is some good advice on this forum and of course we also have our own load of technical articles on Bigbikemad.com. Hope you enjoy your new bike - its got a lovely sound that one.... Dave
Some ACF50 (in the vague hope it'll stop it rusting) and 00 wire wool to clean the chain (latex gloves are useful!) then lube it. Every couple of weeks (which is about 500 miles or so for me). I managed 17k on my Tiger with no issues and plenty of life left in the chain when I sold the bike. I never adjusted the chain but as the rear tyre was changed every 6k it always got adjusted then.
While I'm sure the chain cleaner is a great product, I think you missed my point. Although, I put my old Firestorm up on its paddock stand once a fortnight to wash it and check the oil, etc. I only gave the chain a waggle to check the amount of play, because I'm a sceptical old so 'n so. It never needed adjusting. Not once in 20,000 miles. Ergo the Scottoiler is equivalent to shaft drive only lighter, but slightly messier :smile: Regarding your comments about weather. I have always ridden in all weathers and I'm a firm believer in the adage, "There's no such thing as poor weather, only poor clothing".
John, you may never have adjusted your chain but surely it was adjusted when tyres were changed, at least 3 times I'd think in 20,000 miles?
No, not really. The chain tensioners weren't adjusted during the wheel removal / replacement process.
I'm amazed, I've never heard of anything like that before. I had a Scottoiler on my VFR and apart from making the rear end filthy (oo-er-missus) it didn't seem to make any difference to chain life and I still had to adjust the chain every few months.
When I sold the bike it had 39,700 miles on the clock and still had it's original chain and sprockets. I had it MOT'ed and serviced just before I sold it and the dealer said there was still plenty of life in both and, equally, wouldn't believe me when I said they were the original fit items.
